Category Archives: Uncategorized

Preparing for Summer: Indoor Plans

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13138856_SAs summer approaches, finding ways to keep your children – and yourself – active and happy while stuck indoors becomes more challenging. Here are a few ideas for making the time spent indoors more enjoyable.

Dance: Children naturally love to move to music, so how about a regularly-scheduled dance time? The music can be pop, rock, bluegrass or even hip-hop, and dancing can be structured or spontaneous. Experiment with different approaches, and encourage your children to invite their friends to join them.

Active props: Simple items such as soft balls, hula hoops or large exercise balls can add to an inside free-for-all. Research simple exercises and look for videos designed for children. And if you participate with them, your figure may benefit also.

Active games: We may remember Twister from years ago, and there are other games that keep the body moving. Do you have room for a table-tennis game – maybe in half the garage? How about an indoor bowling game or Nerf-ball basketball?

Active video games: Certain electronic games have programs that encourage movement. You can rent several games and try them with your family before determining which ones will be the most popular.

Water games: This is not indoors, but it can keep active ones still comfortable in the heat. Encourage pool games or activities that take advantage of water’s cooling properties. Just be sure to keep the sunscreen coming and if possible keep out of the sun during peak sun hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

With a little imagination and a few small purchases, you can keep your children and yourself active and happy all through the summer months.

Preparing for Summer: Outdoor Prep

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6089971_SNow that summer’s heat is upon us, it’s time to come up with ways to enjoy being outdoors in spite of the temperatures. Here are a few suggestions to make the most of the season.

Al fresco breakfast: The temperatures stay cool in the morning here in Arizona well into the summer. How about planning breakfasts outside instead of dinners? Place dishes, bowls and silverware on a tray, and add cereal, eggs or whatever is planned for breakfast that day. It only takes a few minutes to move outside, and you and your family will have a cheerful start to the day before temperatures rise.

Shade: The best shade comes from trees, but a covered patio or umbrellas such as the ones in the photo provide a close second. Just remember to close the umbrellas when you’re not using them, because our Arizona sun can fade and wear them out quickly.

Misting: You can hire a company to install misters or pick up a do-it-yourself kit at your local hardware store. The cool damp air works well in our dry weather as an informal evaporative cooler. When sitting under the mist, the temperature can feel much more enjoyable.

Outdoor ceiling fans: NOT to be combined with misting systems! These fans don’t actually lower the temperature, but they can make you feel cooler when sitting under them. Even though your fan may be under a covered patio, be sure to buy one designed for outdoor use. It is then protected from dust and other weather elements.

Choose your best options from among these or others, to allow you to extend your outdoor enjoyment for a few more months every year.

Electronics at Home: The Fulton Homes Drop Zone

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Drop-ZoneWhen you move into a new Fulton Home, one of the first steps is deciding where to charge your electronic gear – phones, tablets and laptops. The Fulton Drop Zone provides the perfect solution.

This example of a Drop Zone, from Peninsula at Freeman Farms, has charging space, with a counter large enough to hold everything. Cabinets, shelves and drawers allow you to keep purses, backpacks, briefcases, keys and all those things you seem to lose in the morning on the way to work or school.

The Drop Zone fits just inside house from the garage. It provides an immediate reminder to drop your outdoor gear and recharge anything that is running low on energy. You may want to assign space to every family member so that homework and other essentials are available when needed.

The cabinetry and counters will coordinate with your kitchen or other built-ins, and it can be designed to your specifications. This also may be a good storage place for big-box-store items or family essentials.

As you live in your home, you will find more and more uses for this option. So often a long day makes you ready to relax and get comfy once you’re home. Put your slippers on a bottom shelf so that you can switch immediately when you walk in, and maybe that drawer on the left should hold your stash of emergency chocolate for quick recovery after a particularly rough day at work.

Electronics at Home: Internet Safety

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8068780_SWhen your children use the Internet, a world of information and entertainment opens for them. But with the advantages come risks, and you want to make sure your children stay safe. There are a wealth of books and Internet resources designed to help you understand the risks and help your children use the Internet safely and well. Here are just a few beginning steps:

Set ground rules: Include issues such as how much time your children can spend online; what kinds of uses they can make of the Internet, and what kinds of websites they can access. There are also search engines that are designed to be safe for children.

Keep computers in your home’s public spaces: You want to be able to look over your child’s shoulder as they work, to make sure they are not getting into trouble. This may mean assigning a space for your home computer or computers such as a corner of the dining room or the desk in the kitchen.

Discuss the risks: Explain that the person they’re chatting with could be lying and someone posing as a young girl or boy may be an adult predator. Connect the “stranger danger” lessons to the Internet also.

Set privacy limits: No photos, names and addresses, passwords, ages or phone numbers should be provided when on the Internet.

Control purchases: Make it clear that any Internet purchases should be done by you. Make sure that your children don’t have access to credit or debit cards.

Set behavior standards: The Golden Rule also fits on the Internet. No bullying, name calling, or mean gossip should be permitted. Remind them that anything that goes on the Internet, including emails, is public information and should be treated that way.

 

Electronics at Home: The Right Place(s)

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5737692_SHave a project left from work that you need to finish at home tonight? Is it hard to keep your kids focused on their homework when the weather is still so nice outside? It’s time to set your home up for anyplace laptop use.

Make your home as functional as your local coffee-shop with in-house Wi-Fi. A wireless network provides so many advantages for everyone in the family. Here are just a few:

Anywhere homework: Want your children under your eyes while they’re surfing the net? They can set themselves down at the kitchen snack bar and get their work done while you finish up dinner.

Anywhere access: You can catch up on a favorite television series online while baking cookies, or check out the day’s news while brushing your teeth in the bathroom. Can’t remember the ingredients for that soufflé? Look up Paula Deen’s version on your tablet without leaving the kitchen.

Al Fresco surfing: Get comfy on your back patio and finish up that project without having to lose the last of the luscious weather. Somehow even the tedious stuff is more enjoyable when you’re feeling the breeze and enjoying the sun as you get your work done.

A few tips: Be sure to invest in security to go along with your Wi-Fi access, so that the uninvited can’t access your Internet or your personal information. Unless you’re well-schooled in setting up a wireless network, you may want to hire a professional to make sure the new access is all fun and no trouble.

Also, remember that a wireless network allows you to pool peripherals such as printers. Having everyone in your family use the same printer means that you can afford a more expensive choice, such as a color laser printer.

Moving into a new neighborhood – Settling In

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7664690_SWithin a month or so after moving into your new Fulton Home, if you make a little effort, you’ll have gotten to know some of your neighbors. As a “veteran” homeowner, you can participate in a few ideas to strengthen your neighborhood’s connections. You may want to try one or more of these ideas.

Plan a block party. Choose a central location and a Saturday afternoon/evening. You can do a “bring your own entrée,” with grills hot and ready for cooking. Include a pot-luck for side dishes and desserts. Consider featuring a children’s table or two with party favors and a teen table with music to help normally shy youngsters to get to know each other.

Create a babysitting resource: People with young children and the teenagers looking for babysitting work will appreciate a way to connect with each other. This can either be printed or online. It would be nice to include a few parent recommendations and an idea of costs per hour and any restrictions.

Put together a roster of neighbors: Names, addresses, phone numbers and emails allow neighbors to stay in touch. This is also a good source for who to contact if you notice someone has left car lights on or something suspicious is occurring on a neighbor’s property.

Assemble a dog-tracking list: Photos of neighbor dogs, along with their names, basic behavior and names and addresses/phone numbers of owners can help lost pets find their way home quickly. Someone who is not comfortable approaching a strange dog can still contact an owner based on a photo. Dog owners will appreciate neighbors letting them know if Toby or Gracie has slipped out of the yard and is wandering loose.

Take an active role and you can help make your new Fulton neighborhood a special community for you, your family and everyone who lives there.

Moving Into a New Neighborhood – Meet the Neighbors

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11133993_SGetting to know your neighbors helps turn your new home into part of a community. Once you move into your Fulton Home, take the time to get to know your neighbors. It may seem difficult in these days of teaching your children about “stranger danger” and other worries, but a few simple steps can make the process easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Welcome new neighbors: While most people won’t have time to chat on move-in day, it’s nice to take a few minutes to introduce yourself to neighbors as they move in. Just a simple hello and welcome from a new neighbor makes moving day so much more pleasant.

Stop by: Visit your new neighbors in the afternoon, or walk over when they are already outside. Many people are nervous about opening their doors after dusk, like the woman in the photo. You don’t want to make your neighbors uncomfortable by your visit.

Bring a treat: Home-baked cookies, lemonade on a hot day, or warm muffins or coffee cake say welcome better than words. Returning the container gives you another opportunity to interact with your new neighbors.

Take walks: Bringing your dog on a walk through the neighborhood every day or just walking by yourself in the morning or evening will provide plenty of opportunities to get to know your neighbors. Be sure to smile and acknowledge everyone you see. The people who want to be friendly will find a way to chat with you.

Be friendly: You can’t expect to be best friends with all of your neighbors, but just getting to know them well enough for a short chat can make your community a more comfortable and pleasant place. And you never know, your future best buddy may move in next door!

Moving Into a New Neighborhood – Discovery

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12197961_SWhen you move into your new Fulton home, plan on spending some time unpacking and organizing. You probably won’t feel settled until some rooms such as your kitchen and bedroom are fully set up the way you want them.

But you can start settling into your new neighborhood even before the movers arrive. With the move, you may need to shop at new grocery stores, find a new dry cleaner and gas station, and spend time getting to know your new neighborhood. You can make the transition easier for you and your family if you do a little exploring before the move. Here are a few suggestions.

Drive around: Either with your family or by yourself, take an afternoon or evening to drive around your new neighborhood. Look for convenient shopping areas. Take note of neighborhood restaurants that you might enjoy.

Stop to eat: Bring your family to eat at a local restaurant or café that looks interesting. You may even want to try a couple of places over a week or so. This may start creating the feeling that you are already part of your new community.

Visit local community places: If you are a churchgoer, you may want to consider a church near your new home. If not, look for a park with a playground or a community center. Visiting places such as these can allow you to meet some of your future neighbors and start feeling more at home.

Whatever you value in your current neighborhood, you will be able to find something like it in your new place. Take the time to explore and discover, and you can feel connected even before your home is finished.

Design Center Basics: Have Fun!

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Design 20Center 20023 designerOne of the best parts of buying a Fulton Home is selecting your options at the Fulton Home Design Center. You have the opportunity to work with a skilled designer to choose your kitchen, bathroom and flooring, making your home uniquely yours.

At first, choosing may seem overwhelming, but if you did your homework before your appointment (see the two blog posts for earlier this week) this can be a truly enjoyable experience.

Design 20Center 20059 carpetingVisiting the Design Center can feel like walking into the HGTV studios. Fulton has pre-selected suppliers and products that are reliable and provide a rich selection of styles to individualize your home. For example, look at the carpeting options available. Take your time to enjoy the various textures and tones.

One of the best features of the Fulton Homes Design Center is the well-trained and savvy designers who will work with you to help make just the right selections. Years of experience working with homebuyers to help create lovely homes provide every designer with the skills to give valuable insights and support as you make your home your own.

Whether your taste is contemporary or traditional, you’ll find the right choices of cabinetry, countertops, lighting and more. Take the time to investigate the kitchen vignettes. They may help you determine whether you want light or dark cabinetry, how much contrast you want in your kitchen and any specific color choices.

Everyone at Fulton Homes wants you to enjoy your time at the Design Center, so relax and take full advantage of this opportunity to make your home as special as you and your family are.

Design Center Basics: Browse Power

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Design20Center20078 fulton lobby - receptionistWhen you’re selecting options for your new Fulton Home, one of the best tools you have is the Fulton Home Design Center browse night. Once a week, you can visit the design center at your leisure and look at all of your home choices. Designers and other staff are on hand to answer any questions.

Browse nights are aptly named. You can take your time and sift through the choices for cabinets, flooring and other options without having to make any final decisions. If you really use the browse nights well, you may have most of your options selected before your appointment. This will allow you to take the time you need to review those choices that are harder for you to make.

Browse nights are particularly useful if you and your spouse have differing tastes. The two of you can work out compromises that you both can live happily with, and check out those options you liked online in person. This is also a good chance to see how your cabinets fit with your choice of countertops, backsplash and flooring. You may be surprised to discover that a countertop you hadn’t even considered is just the right choice.

Consider browse nights as a chance to explore all of the amazing options the Fulton Design Center offers with no need to make any permanent decisions. It’s a casual and comfortable place filled with people who want to help you make your home perfect for you. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.